Gatekeepers
Who is on this listThe BSB names the person among the gatekeepers (1 Chronicles 9:17–27; 26:1–19; Ezra 2:42; Nehemiah 7:45; 11:19; 12:25).
The Levites who kept the gates of the house of God.
The gatekeepers were Levites who guarded the entrances of the tabernacle and later the temple. Chronicles lists those who lived in Jerusalem after the exile: Shallum, Akkub, Talmon and Ahiman, with Shallum their chief (1 Chronicles 9:17). Zechariah son of Meshelemiah kept the entrance to the Tent of Meeting (1 Chronicles 9:21).
Chronicles also sets out the divisions assigned under David. From the Korahites came Meshelemiah and his sons (1 Chronicles 26:1–3). Obed-edom had eight sons, and the text says God had blessed him (1 Chronicles 26:4–5). His grandsons through Shemaiah were capable men (1 Chronicles 26:7). From the Merarites came Hosah and his sons (1 Chronicles 26:10–11). Lots were cast for each gate, and the west gate fell to Shuppim and Hosah (1 Chronicles 26:16).
After the return, Ezra and Nehemiah name the gatekeeper families again (Ezra 2:42; Nehemiah 7:45; 11:19). In Nehemiah’s day, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon and Akkub "were gatekeepers who guarded the storerooms at the gates" (Nehemiah 12:25).
Men named only as fathers or ancestors of gatekeepers are not on this list. Nor are the leaders who appointed them.
Everyone in this list
Ahiman, Levite Gatekeeper
Levite gatekeeper who helped reorganize Jerusalem after the Babylonian Exile
Akkub, Levite Gatekeeper of the Return
Levite gatekeeper who guarded the temple storerooms after the return from Babylon
Ammiel, Son of Obed-edom
Levite gatekeeper and sixth son of Obed-edom
Bakbukiah
Levite who served as a leader of prayer and a temple gatekeeper after the exile
Elam, Levite of the United Monarchy
Levite gatekeeper and fifth son of Meshelemiah who served during the United Monarchy
Eliehoenai, Levite of the United Monarchy
Levite gatekeeper and the seventh son of Meshelemiah mentioned in the chronicles of David's reign
Elihu, Levite of the United Monarchy
Levite gatekeeper and son of Shemaiah noted for his strength and capability
Elzabad, Levite of the United Monarchy
Levite gatekeeper and son of Shemaiah noted for being a capable man of valor
Hilkiah, Son of Hosah
Levite gatekeeper and second son of Hosah who served during the United Monarchy
Hosah
Levite gatekeeper of the Merarite clan assigned to the West Gate and Shallecheth Gate
Issachar, Son of Obed-edom
Levite gatekeeper and seventh son of Obed-edom mentioned in the records of King David
Jediael, Son of Meshelemiah
Levite gatekeeper and second son of Meshelemiah who served in the sanctuary
Jehohanan, Levite of the United Monarchy
Levite gatekeeper and the sixth son of Meshelemiah mentioned in the genealogical records of the United Monarchy
Jehozabad, Son of Obed-edom
Levite gatekeeper and second son of Obed-edom who served during the reign of King David
Joah, Son of Obed-edom
Levite gatekeeper and third son of Obed-edom during the reign of King David
Meshelemiah
A Levite from the Korahite division who served as a prominent gatekeeper and head of a significant family of sanctuary guardians during the United Monarchy.
Meshullam, Gatekeeper of the Return
Levite gatekeeper who guarded the temple storerooms during the time of Nehemiah
Nethanel, Son of Obed-edom
fifth son of Obed-edom who served as a Tabernacle gatekeeper
Obadiah, Levite of the Return
Levite gatekeeper who served in Jerusalem after the return from Babylonian exile
Obed-edom
Levite who hosted the Ark of the Covenant and was blessed by God
Obed, Son of Shemaiah
Levite gatekeeper and son of Shemaiah noted for being a capable man of strength
Peullethai
Eighth son of Obed-edom and Levite gatekeeper during the reign of David
Rephael
Levite gatekeeper and son of Shemaiah noted for his capability and strength in Temple service
Semachiah
Levite gatekeeper and son of Shemaiah noted for being a capable man of strength
Shallum, Levite Gatekeeper of the Return
Levite chief gatekeeper whose descendants returned from the Babylonian exile to serve in the Temple
Shemaiah, Son of Obed-edom
Firstborn son of Obed-edom whose descendants were strong and capable gatekeepers of the sanctuary
Shimri, Son of Hosah
Levite gatekeeper appointed as head of his family despite not being the firstborn
Shuppim, Gatekeeper of the West Gate
Gatekeeper who was assigned the West Gate and the Shallecheth Gate by lot
Talmon
Levite gatekeeper who returned from the Babylonian exile to serve in the rebuilt Temple
Tebaliah
Levite gatekeeper and third son of Hosah during the Davidic organization of the sanctuary
Zebadiah, Son of Meshelemiah
Levite gatekeeper and third son of Meshelemiah
Zechariah, Son of Hosah
Levite gatekeeper and fourth son of Hosah who served during the United Monarchy
Zechariah, Son of Meshelemiah
Levite gatekeeper and wise counselor at the North Gate